Top Features of the Zipp 404 Firecrest Tubular Rear (Beyond Black) 2013

Brake track top: 23.96mm

Brake track bottom: 26.34mm

Recommended tyre width: 21mm

Max recommended rider weight: 225lbs

Features:

Weight: 698g

Rim Used: 360FC

Hub Used: 188

Rim Dept: 58.0mm

Aero Width: 27.07mm

Nominal Tyre Bed Width: 18.00mm

Spoke Count: 20

Spoke Length Non-Drive: 246mm

Spoke Pattern Non-Drive: Cross

Spoke Pattern Drive: Radial

Spoke Length Drive: 232mm

Track Adaptable: No

Dimpled Surface: Yes

Ceramic Bearing: After-market installation

External Nipples: Yes

Product Data

Weight (g):

698

Cyclocross:

Yes

Wheel Size:

700c (622)

Rim Depth:

Deep

Road:

Yes

The 58mm rim profile is a classic in Zipp’s arsenal that dates back to the early 1990s. Now, with the advanced Firecrest® aero-rim shape, Zipp's leading all-around performer is an even greater threat to win any race on any terrain.

Beyond aerodynamics and stability, the 404 Firecrest’s wider 27.5mm wide profile offers a slew of other benefits on the road. The upgraded lateral stiffness makes the 404 Firecrest even more responsive to accelerations and more precise when cornering. And its composite structure is designed to absorb impacts by flexing slightly outward – which gives you a comfortable ride and long-term durability.

Even with all the improvements from Firecrest technology the 404 Firecrest Tubular’s weight is a light 1,282 grams. On the climbs, it goes toe-to-toe with shallower, less aero rivals. On the flats, it hangs with deeper, less nimble competitors. If any one wheelset can do it all, it’s the 404 Firecrest.

And new for 2012, the 404 Firecrest is getting the brand new 88/188 hubset, with a 7.5mm-wider bearing stance in the rear hub, and a driveside hub canted by 2 degrees for improved stiffness and reliability.

Specification information

Zipp Firecrest Rim Technology

Firecrest - a better wheel in every way

For every rider, every discipline, and every ability level, aero wheels make a difference. Every test we’ve ever run has confirmed this basic truth and we’ve never seen data from anyone else that argues differently.

With the new Firecrest rim shape in our 404 and 808 Tubulars and Carbon Clinchers, Zipp wheels make a bigger difference in more ways than ever. Not only is Firecrest more aerodynamic than any other rim design, it improves handling in crosswinds, wheel strength, and overall ride quality.

More speed.

Discovered as we developed our carbon clinchers, Firecrest refocused our thinking from the front to the back of the wheel. Previous rim shapes were designed to smooth airflow coming off the tyre, and tapered inward from the widest point of a toroidal bulge. But Firecrest rims have a less pronounced bulge and maintain a near-constant width almost all the way to the spoke bed.

Without giving up the proven benefits of the toroidal shape, Firecrest is the first aero profile that effectively controls airflow around the back half of the wheel. The performance benefits are substantial. With Firecrest, the latest 404 Tubular (58mm rim depth) matches the aero performance of the pre-Firecrest 808 (81mm depth). And the new 808 Tubular is faster than any competitor’s 90mm rim.

More stability.

During the design process, we realised that the advanced mathematics and massive computing power that helped us create a faster wheel could also help reduce the impact of crosswinds on handling. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), we’ve discovered subtle variations in rim shape that improve stability without increasing aerodynamic drag. By moving the center of pressure – the focal point of side forces on the rim – to its optimal location near the steering axis, Firecrest offers stable, predictable handling at every wind angle. In real-world conditions, Firecrest rims are markedly more stable than other rims of equal or even shallower depth.

More strength.

As we discovered with designs like the Paris-Roubaix-winning 303, a wider rim increases lateral stiffness for sprinting and cornering yet offers greater vertical compliance for more control, comfort, and durability on rough surfaces. The same holds true for Firecrest rims. In both tubular and clincher versions, the wider design better protects tyres and places more rubber on the road while cornering without adding rolling resistance.

About the Zipp brand

Zipp Cycle Components are the producers of wheels, handlebars, cranks and cycle accessories are a manufacturing company located in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA and are part of the growing SRAM group. Zipp Speed Weaponry serves a select group of elite companies and athletes, globally located and committed to bicycle and wheelchair competition. Zipp meets the customer's needs for the highest performance, superlative quality components through innovative design and manufacturing utilising the best material and technology available. Zipp is built on mutual respect, delivery on promise and fastidious attention to manufacturing details.

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Fast & Smooth
I purchased this rear wheel to replace my disc wheel on those really windy days, just lately there has been a lot of them so a good investment! As usual a first class smooth aerodynamic wheel very light, fast and quiet. There not cheap but the build quality and the components used give you one of the fastest wheels available.
22 June 2012

this is awfull, the first time i took it out 3 of the spokes broke and in the cross winds it practicaly blew me of the road.
21 June 2012